The recent tossing of the recall effort in Pendergrass has given town officials something to crow about. They have claimed “victory” and cast those who attempted the recall as “psyco.”

But Pendergrass officials are anything but innocent victims of “psyco” citizens. The truth is the other way around; the citizens are victims of a politically incestuous city council and government.

This entire episode began with city whistleblowers who came forward with hard evidence — copies of documents and tape recordings — that raised serious questions about how the city managed its money and ran its police department.

Remember city police chief/manager Rob Russell yelling at a cop to not stop expensive cars because those people complain?

And how he admitted on tape to fixing tickets?

And how he admitted that the city was knowingly misusing SPLOST money?

And how the documents show he bought clothes for himself on the city credit card?

And how there were toys bought by Russell on the city credit card?

And how the expensive dinner Russell had on July 4th in Atlanta was put on the city’s credit card?

And how about Mayor Monk Tolbert declaring he would “do what the hell I want to do” in Pendergrass?

And how he settled a sexual harassment lawsuit against the town for $20,000 without any public vote or meeting?

And how he shut down public comments and questions at city council meetings?

And how he was disingenuous about the reasons for firing the whistleblowers, saying it was for budget cuts?

And how he has held illegal meetings with the council? And how his mother-in-law is also on the city council with him?

And his son is the city court judge?

And how he knowingly employed an illegal alien as a city employee in violation of the law?

And how about councilwoman Gail Stowe’s daughter, Sandra Funderburk, becoming the “new” city clerk?

And how about the close relationship between Russell and Funderburk?

The real issue here isn’t a failed recall effort; the issue is a city government that by every moral and ethical standard is just an insider’s game. Nepotism — “the family” —and favoritism rule Pendergrass City Hall.

The recall effort lost because it was drafted wrong legally by the citizens group and the judge had little choice but to toss it out. That may have been a legal victory for the council, but it does not change the underlying and very disturbing issues on which it was based. The citizens were morally and ethically right.

Whatever happens in Pendergrass in the future —investigations are ongoing — the whistleblowers and citizens should know that their efforts to clean up the town government is the right thing to do. And in the face of such a contemptible government, that takes a lot of courage.

***

One of the question marks from last week’s elections was the close Jefferson Mayor’s race. Incumbent Jim Joiner won, but only by around 50 votes. I’d speculated in advance that it’d be around a 65 percent to 35 percent contest in Joiner’s favor. That it was so close shocked a lot of people.

But what does it mean? That’s the difficult part. His opponent was virtually unknown and carried a fair amount of baggage. The vote appears to have been more about being against something than for someone.

The question is, was it a vote against the city government in general, or was it more specifically aimed against Joiner?

I can’t tell. But somewhere in those votes is a message of discontent and frustration from a lot of Jefferson citizens.
Readers, I invite you to answer this question: What was the message to Jefferson in last week’s voting?
Mike Buffington is editor of The Jackson Herald. He can be reached at mike@mainstreetnews.com.

I am not a resident of Jefferson, but it seems to me that the message that the town may have been sending is the need for change.We have seen it in the presidential election, a no name candidate comes in(Obama),plays on the fact that Americans in general are tired of the existing system and votes into office that candidate who speaks the loudest, promises the people the most change. Our government, be it local, state or federal,DOES NOT LISTEN OR CARE FOR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WHO VOTED THEM INTO OFFICE!!!ITS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE!. Look at Pendergrass gov't now, incidently, that is where I have lived for the past year,they are doing whatever the hell they want without regard to US citizens that they supposedly represent.If I were the Tolberts, I would be too embarrased to show my face in light of their arrogant actions. I suppose our only recourse till election time is public opposition to them. By the way citizens of Jackson Co.,did you know that when you stop off for dinner at the KFC/Taco Bell on the Jefferson exit, that you are indeed supporting a Tolbert owned business??? I do not go there any longer and refuse to patronize it because of the owners.Just thought you all might find that a bit interesting.

"But somewhere in those votes is a message of discontent and frustration from a lot of Jefferson citizens."

That could be said about Nicholson, in spades.

Mayor Maxwell retained his job by less than 15 votes. Almost half of the votes were against him. Not to take away from Mayor Maxwell's opponent, but the truth is that those votes were not FOR his opponent, they were AGAINST Mayor Maxwell. (That's right Ronnie, those people were VOTING AGAINST YOU!)

Let me repeat that for those people who didn't understand it the first time: Almost half of the people who voted in the Nicholson mayors race wanted Ronnie Maxwell OUT OF OFFICE. When was the last time that many people voted against a sitting mayor in Nicholson? If you are curious about why people are frustrated and discontented in Jefferson, I imagine you would get quite an ear full from the people who voted against Mayor Maxwell in Nicholson.

So Mike, why not ask about that? I know that I'm not the only one who would like to see the answers printed in the newspaper.

jackson county has an unofficial playbook the elected and paid officials go by. Chapter One: Me, me, me
Chapter Two: U.S. Constitution? we don't do that here...
Chapter Three: How to make public service work for ME

Mr. Buffington asked whether the close Jefferson Mayor’s race was a vote against city government in general or was it more specifically aimed against Mr. Joiner? Well, who can know?

I believe that voters were glad to know Mayor Joiner’s clear position on progress. I recall seeing along Athens Highway a billboard of Mayor Joiner’s asking for citizens’ votes based upon “keeping the progress going.” In an earlier Herald article Mayor Joiner stated that he “…offered the leadership Jefferson needs at this point because of the many projects that we have working. Two examples are the streetscape project and the Parks Creek Reservoir.” Yup, he’s for progress.

Perhaps voters would have liked to have heard about or been reminded of progress in a more personal context. For example, what is the personal consequence for voters of that progress? How much will it cost individual voters to keep the progress going? I read somewhere that maybe the vote was more about being against something than for someone. The cost of progress maybe.

Jim may have won but Jefferson did not! He is the most arrogant self serving person I have ever known. Just wait and see he wanted to be mayor for other reasons. He will be appointed on some board where he will make some more money behind the scenes. As far as progress anyone can spend tax payers’ money and slap themselves on the back and claim “they have been instrumental in progress for the city" all that keeps going with Jim is higher taxes. The bozo that is City manager was quoted as saying we really got out there and worked hard getting people to vote...really? You were really trying to get another person voted in to save your job. Both Jim and the City manager have overstayed their welcome. The truth is Jim would have been beat very badly had a more well known candidate run. Jim your not that well liked!

Mike this is a great editorial - don't let the citizens forget who is right here! The whistle blowers ARE doing the right thing - you know it and so does everyone else. Keep the pressure on the "family"!

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